In 1964, Pharmacist Ian Peterson, his wife Shirley and son Colin purchased an old dairy farm known as Glenesk at Mount View in the Lower Hunter Valley with the intention of raising beef cattle. However, in 1971, ten acres of Semillon were planted to supply McWilliam's winery, which heralded the start of a very successful vineyard on the rich Mount View soils.
By 1980, 30 acres of vines had been planted, consisting of Semillon, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. In 1981, the decision was made to produce two wines, Chardonnay and Shiraz, in a very small new winery. The first release of wines also brought the Peterson's first medal. The vineyard has since been planted out to 40 acres with new plantings of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Viognier. The cellar door sales area was opened in October 1981 and vineyard plantings have since been established in the areas of Mudgee and Armidale. In 2001, Petersons established a new winery aimed at small batch wine production while maintaining the superior
What does your chief winemaker bring to the team?
Chief winemaker, Gary Reed, was originally enlisted by the Peterson family to assist in the winemaking process as a young cellar hand and has been with Peterson’s since our first vintage in 1981. He has mentored other Petersons winemakers, including Peterson House’s Michael Hudson.
How do you select the names of your wines?
Wines produced by Petersons are based on family connections. Shirley, the family matriarch and grandmother, is honoured during select years with special 'Shirley' release whites (predominantly Chardonnay). Founder Ian Peterson’s namesake wine, 'Ian's Selection's', have only been made twice in a decade. The tradition of naming the Port after grandsons and Sparkling Wines after granddaughters has been kept alive by the naming of the varietals after staff members. Current head of Petersons Wine, Colin Peterson, has also included the next generation of Peterson children in the operation, with the naming of Savannah Estate after his daughter.
Did you know...
In 1998, Petersons Wines were exclusively invited by the Honourable John Howard to supply wine to the Annual Prime Ministers Dinner.
- Gary Reed, Chief Winemaker